Hydraulic coupling



July 11, 1950 R. M. POWER HYDRAULIC COUPLING Filed April l, 1948Patented `uly 11, 1950 UN TATEIS OFFICE .H'YDRAULIC COUPLING'-RobertMPower, Oxnard,l 'Califl Application April .1, 194 8,Serial.N,o..18,42D

'7 Claims.

i This invention relates .to 'hydraulic couplings, and more particularlyto. a breakaway Atype hy- 'iraulic coupling having provision madeAtherein for closing off the. hydraulic ,linesprior to disconnection ofthe coupling, :whereby upon disconnection of the coupling loss ofiluidis minimized despite the presence vof high pressure in the linesand also whereby reconnection ofthe `coupling may be made uninhibited bythe presence of such high pressure in'the closed ofi lines.

'.While the present 'invention is particularly adaptable "for .use incoupling `thelhydraulic:lines o'ftractors to'their tows, `such as ploWsor 4the like, its use 'isnot limite'ditheretd land .the invention maybe'used vadvantageously wherever a'breakaway coupling iis Adesired^betweenVlines carryingfluids under pressureor fluids whichit is desired toconserveeven though the coupling-*is "broken'. One alternative .exampleof ',suchnse is in the linesfor 4fueling ships, especially Iships atsea.

Accordingly, Lit v'is one 'objectief the lpresent-fin- `vention toprovide a coupling of `the type'described in which eacliofthef'hydraulic vlines is closed off prior 'to"breaking 'or "disconnecting ofthe Acoupling.

' Itzis afur'ther-object' of'this invention `tofacililtate*recour'nling'of v:the coupling wby assuring l'that vpressure inthe iinescannot becommunicated to the coupling*until it has 4been :completely Y-recoupled.

Itlis "a Vfurther object of this 'invention that on unc'oupling, Lthelossoffluidislimited-tothe ysmall amount 'actually present" in *thecenter section of the coupling itself. yWhile this isan fimportant'feature in'anycase, it 'isparticularly important in cases where thefluid is valuable or is inflammable and presents a re hazard, such asAin the ycase `of 'the fueling of ships.

'While thereare"presentlysavailable ldevices op- `eratingvuponfpredeterminedmovement to discon- *neet such 1hydraulic couplings,it has been observed' thatthese devices-are unsatisfactory for `thereasons' that 'either-'they present difficulties with respect toreconnecting the lines against the pressure thereinA or' else meansisiinlterp@sed-in'v the /coupling'whereby theflflow of "fluid innormalconnected-condition "is "undesirabl-y restricted. "It i is,accordingly,l oneI featuresofthis invention :to rprovide afcoupling of"t'he'ftype Jdescribed'which can "be very veasily vconnectednotwithstanding "the jpressure inthe 'lines and'whichpresents a smooth,unrestricted "passage for Athe "flow "of the"`liqui'd when connected.

Ittisa further featureof this invention'that'uncoupling may 'bezachievedautomatically, occur-- ring on a predetermined relative movement of theobjects, such. as tractor and jplow, to which the two sections of .the4hydraulic vlines are s ecured.

It is a .furtheri'eaturegof this 'invention that cani means are`provided operative on such relative movement of the tractor .tand/towor other device to which the .invention :is applied, to lock thecoupling togethenand ,to'prevent'its breaking until ksuch 'time-as-the'valvemeans in the hydraulic lines have "been moved 0to completelyclosed-position.

It is a Vfurther feature of l.this invention that such cam lmeans `areprovided whichj'positiveijy lock ,the coupling 4together uponpartialreconnecting of .the coupling prior to the opening 'of theVvalves or ports in the Alines under pressure, thus positively preventing:communication of pressure inthe lines tothe .interior of :the couplingbefore the coupling is fully `reconnected.

vThese and other objects, advantages and features of the ypresentinvention-will be apparent from the-annexed specification, in Which:

Figure '1 .is a planview 'of a 'coupling embodying the'present inventionin its closed or completelyicoupled position;

*Figure 2-is^ayp1anview on reducedscalesimilar to Figure 1 showing.the-coupling-moved slightly 4towards the uncoupledjposition;

.Figure 3 is a view similar toiFigure2 showing the coupling'inpositioniabout to bepbroken open;

Figure 4 isI a .View similar to vFigure 3 showing the coupling/justprior to completely breaking open;

Figure is a View similar'to'Figure e Yshowing the coupling uncoupled;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectiontaken on the line 6-6 of `Figure 3';

'Figure '7 is "a fragmentary Ysection similarto Figure 6 showing one:end'of the coupling'in 'a partially uncoupled'position; and

Figure l8 is 'a lsectiontakenl on' Ythe line -8-8 pf vFigurel 6.

.Referring now more particularly tothe vdrawings, the coupling is showniascomprising ythree sections, Aan end "section, Il), an end sectionIl., and a central-section "-If2. End section 'I0 includes a hosecoup1ingi3 to which is vattached hydraulic line I4 andv also an elbowI5. Thecentral section I2 includes a breakaway coupling as hereinafterdescribed, `while the end section li "includes a 'hosefcoupling 'I6to'which Ais attached a hydraulic line I l and an elbow 18. .The elbowl5 hasa passage I 9 lcommunicatingzwith apassage "23. and

a port 2| is provided therein. Furthermore, the elbow I5 has a pair ofannular grooves 22 and 23 formed thereon adapted to receive rubberdoughnut rings 24 and 25 so that the elbow may be pivotally mounted in asleeve 26 carried thereon. The sleeve 26 is retained upon the elbow I5by a spring ring 21 mounted in an annular groove 28 adjacent the bottomof the elbow. The sleeve 26 is provided with a port 29, and aligned withthe port 29 is the male member 36 of the coupling. The member 36 has acentral bore or passage 3| therein aligning with the port 29. The malemember 36 and the sleeve 26 are preferably formed integrally as from asingle casting, or from a pair of members suitably connected by welding,brazing, or the like. The male member 36 has a groove 32 formed thereon,which groove 32 is provided with a beveled or tapered wall 33.

The elbow I8 is generally similar to the elbow I5 having a passage 35communicating with a passage 36 and being provided with a port 31. Asleeve 38 generally similar to the sleeve 26 is mounted on the elbow I8and sealed by means of doughnut rings 39 and 46 mounted in annulargrooves 4I and 42, the sleeve being retained on the elbow by means of aspring ring 43 mounted in `annular groove 44.

Also formed integrally with the sleeve 38 is a female member of thecoupling 45, which meinber 45 has a central bore or passage 46 shownaligned with the passage 3| in the member 36. The female member 45 hasan internal annular groove 45a formed therein adjacent the sleeve 38 anda washer 45h is seated therein and abutted by the end of the male member36 in sealing relation when the coupling is fully connected. A sleeve 41is mounted upon the member 45 provided with a pair of outstandingflanges 48 and 49. The end of the sleeve 41 shown disposed toward thesleeve 26 is counterbored as at 56, forming an enlargement, and a cam 5|is provided in the enlargement. The female member l45 has a plurality ofholes 52 bored through the walls thereof, and a corresponding pluralityofv metallic balls 53 are positioned in these holes. By reference toFigures 6 and "1, it will be noted that on breaking of the coupling, thebeveled surface 33 will force the balls 53 upwardly until their entiresurface has been displaced -beyond the inner wall of the female member45,v provided that the sleeve 41 has been retracted sufficiently topermit this; and further it will be noted that vupon moving of thesleeve 41 toV the right, as

Vnumbers 66 and 16, which'extensions form cams,

and the upper edge of the sleeves 26 and 38 is normally in abuttingrelation with the lower edge of the cams 16 and 66 respectively. Thesurfacev of the cams 60 and 16 is best shown in Figures 1 to 5, and eachof the cams has a generally circular portion 86 cut away as at 8| and82, and joined by a smaller radiused circular portion 83.

The operation of the coupling is as follows: Assuming the coupling to bemade up and com- .pletely coupled as shown in Figure 1, it will beretained in suchV position by the spring clip |66 resiliently clippingthe upper 4arm of the elbow I5 to the upper arm of the elbow I8 untilsuch time as a pull' on either offthelines I4 or I1 causes a pivotingmotion. Such aY force is 'shown operating in Figure 2 with the forcebeing applied in the direction of the arrows causing the central portionI2 to revolve counterclockwise, the elbows I5 and I6 pivoting in theirrespective sleeves 2'5 and 38. The port 2| in elbow I5 is so arranged asto be in alignment with the port 29 and, similarly, the port 31 of elbowI8 is positioned to be aligned with the port 31a in the sleeve 38 whenthe coupling is inthe closed position shown in Figure l. Itwill beapparent that the pivoting of the elbows l5 and I6 in their respectivesleeves 26 and 38 will cause the ports to move out of alignment aspivoting progresses. Further, by reference to Figure 2, it will be notedthat the larger diameter rounded section 86 of the cam 66 remains inengagement with the rear wall of the ange 48, forcing the sleeve 41 toits eXtrem-e rightward position as shown in Figure 6, thus preventingbreaking of the coupling. As further relative movement between the linesI4 and I1 is caused, the coupling will pivot to the position shown inFigure 3. In this position the large diameter circular portion 86 of thecam 66 is passed out of Contact with the rear wall of the ange 48 ofsleeve 41 and the large diameter portion 86 of the cam 16 is beginningto engage the outer wall of the flange 49 and thus force the sleeve 41to the left, as shown in Figure 6, in position to permit the withdrawingof the male member 36 and the consequent displacement of the balls 53into the enlarged portion 56 of the sleeve 41. As this happens, asindicated in Figure 4, the coupling breaks open as shown in Figure 5, itbeing appreciated, however, that the port 2| has been moved entirely outof alignment with the port 29, and the port 31 has been moved entirelyout of alignment with the port 31d, before this is permitted. Further,it will be appreciated that by this means the lines I4 and I1 arecompletely closed prior to the breaking of the coupling, and the onlyamount of fluid which will become lost is the small amount actuallypresent in the coupling Within the passages 3| and 46.

Also, it will be apparent that notwithstanding the fact that there maybe ,a high pressure on the lines I4 and I1, there is no obstacle torecoupling of the coupling, with the parts remaining substantially inthe position shown in Figures 4 or 5. In these positions, the lines areclosed off as aforesaid, and no pressure can be communicated to theinterior of the coupling until the coupling has been pivotedcounterclockwise to substantially the positionlas shown in Figure 1,thus recoupling can be easily and safely effec'- tuated despite highpressures in the lines I4 and I1. 4

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that this coupling is of thebreakaway type and if the tow. such as the plow, etc., should strike arock or other impediment with sufficient force to break either of thelines I4 or I1, all that can occur is an uncoupling of the couplingwithout substantial loss of fluid and without serious difculty uponrecoupling.

In order to prevent pivoting of the male member 36 in the female member45 a slot ||6,is milled in the female member 45, and a key'III formedupon the male member 36 registers with the slot I I0 when the couplingis connected.Y

While there has been described in detail the preferred coupling memberof this invention, it will be understood that` the specic type ofcoupling member employing the metallic balls 53 is not essential andthat any type of coupling member adapted to be locked on rotation oftheilpling 'to the fully connected position and 'adapted to be uncoupled onrotation of the elbows toa 'predetermined angular displacement `fromsaid position will suffice.

'Whilethere has-been described what is at presentu considered apreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled 'in 'the' art that various changes andmodications caribe madewithout departing from the essence of the invention, and itis intendedto cover herein all'such changes and modifications yas come ywithin thetrue scope and spirit of the appended n"claiins.

y What is claimed is: y

"1. A break-away coupling'comprisingza'tubular member `having a fluidpassage therein and 'a 'port communicating with said fluid passage; `asleeve member pivotally mounted on said tubular member and having vaport therein; 'a male coupling VmemberV mounted on said sleeve memberand having a iiuid passage 'aligned' with said jpor't Vin s'adsleeve'member; .a second tubular-member; `a`flid passage in said'se'condtubular member; a. 'port Vin said second tubular 4member'comf'muiiicating with said fluid passage in said second tbularmember; asecond sleeve member'pivotal- `l'y 'mounted on said second tubularmember; a port in said second sleeve 'member; a female v.coupling'member mounted upon said "second Asleeve member; a fluid passage `insaid female 'coupling member alignedwith said port in said vsecondsleevemember, said female coupling'member being adapted 'to receive said malemember whlen the coupling is coupled; and a latching x'riean'sfperativeupon relative movement of said Atubular members with respect to saidsleeve memlb'ers to permit uncoupling of 'said male'and felm'alemembers.

12. A break-away coupling comprising an elbow "having a lfluid passagetherein and a'port communicating with said fluid passage; a sleevemember pivotally ymounted on said elbow and having a port therein; amale coupling member mounted on said vsleeve member and having a fluidpassage aligned with said port in said sleeve member; a second elbow; afluid passage in said second elbow; a port in said second elbowcommunicating with said uid passage in said second elbow; a secondsleeve member pivotally mounted n said second elbow; a port in saidsecond sleeve member; a female coupling member mounted upon said secondsleeve member; a fluid passage in said female coupling member alignedwith said port in said second sleeve member, said female coupling memberbeing adapted to receive said male member when the coupling is coupled;a latching means; and means operative to actuate said latching meansupon relative movement of said ports in said elbows with respect to saidports in said sleeve.

3. A break-away coupling comprising an elbow having a fluid passagetherein and a port communicating with said fluid passage; a sleevemember pivotally mounted on said elbow and having a port therein; a malecoupling member mounted on said sleeve member and having a fluid passagealigned with said port in said sleeve member; a second elbow; a fluidpassage in said second elbow; a port in said second elbow communicatingwith said fluid passage in said second elbow; a second sleeve memberpivotally mounted on said second elbow; a port in said second sleevemember; a female coupling member mounted upon said second sleeve member;a fluid passage in said female coupling member aligned with members anda lcam on said second elbow engaging said sleeve and retaining saidsleeve vin said one position until the ports of said sleeve members havebeen pivoted completely out of "alignment: with the L,ports in saidelbows.

*4. A break-away'coupling comprising anelbow having afiuid passagetherein and a port :communicating with said fluid passage; asleeve'memlber-pivotally mounted on said elbow and havingia porttherein; a'male coupling member mounted 'on said sleeve member andyhaving a 'uid pasjsa'ge'alignediwith said port in said sleevemember;a'second elbow; a fluid passage in said sec- -'ond Ielbow;'a port insaid second elbow communicating with said fluid passage in said secondfel- *'bow; a second sleeve ymember pivotally mounted Lon said secondelbow; a port in said second sleeve member; a' female coupling membermounted 'upon'fsaid second sleeve member; a fluid passage insaid femalecoupling mem-ber aligned with said portan Vsai'd'second sleeve member,said vfemale coupling member being adapted to receive'fsai'd `malemember'whenthe coupling is coupled; and a latching means; theports in saidelbows being so positioned as lfto ``be pivoted out of-align- 'ment withthe ports in said sleeve members 'prior 'to unlatching of said latchingmeans to permit "'uncoupling of said male and female' members, Lsaidlatchingmeans comprising a-sleeve mounted on said female-member and inone position preventing the unc'oupling of said male and female membersanda cam on said second elbow engag- -ing said sleeve and retaining saidsleeve in said "oneposition untiltheports of lsaid sleeve mem-'bers"have'been-pivoted completely out of alignment with the ports insaid elbows and 'a `cam'o'n said rst elbow adapted to engage said sleeveafter said ports of said sleeve members have been pivoted out ofalignment with the ports in said elbows and move said sleeve tounlatching posiion.

5. A break-away coupling comprising an elbow having a fluid passagetherein and a port communicating with said fluid passage; a sleevemember pivotally mounted on said elbow and having a port therein; a malecoupling member mounted on said sleeve member and having a fluid passagealigned with said port in said sleeve member; a second elbow; a fluidpassage in said second elbow; a port in said second elbow communicatingwith said fluid passage in said second elbow; a second sleeve memberpivotally mounted on said second elbow; a port in said second sleevemember; a female coupling member mounted upon said second sleeve member;a fluid passage in said female coupling member aligned with said port insaid second sleeve member, said female coupling member being adapted toreceive said male member when the coupling is coupled; an annular grooveon said male member; a plurality of holes in the walls of said femalemember adapted to receive and retain a corresponding plurality ofmetallic balls; a sleeve on said female member; an enlarged portion insaid sleeve ari-14,747

6. A break-away coupling comprising an elbow having a flluid passagetherein and a port communicating with said iluid passage; a sleevemember pivotally mounted on said elbow and having a' port therein; a`male coupling member mounted on said sleeve member and having a fluidpassage aligned with said port in said sleeve member; a second elbow; auid passage in said second elbow; a port in said second elbowcommunicating with said fluid passage in said second elbow; a secondsleeve member pivotally'mounte'd on said second elbow; a port in saidsecond sleeve member; a female coupling member mounted upon said secondsleeve member; a iiuid passage in said female coupling member alignedwith said I port in said second sleeve member, said female couplingmember being adapted to receive said male member when the coupling iscoupled; an annular groove on said male member; a plurality of holes inthe walls of said female member adapted to receive and retain aplurality of metallic balls; a sleeve on said female member; an enlargedportion in said sleeve adapted to receive a portion of each of saidmetallic balls on uncoupling of the coupling and a cam in said sleeveadapted to force a portion of each of said metallic balls into saidgroove on said male member in coupled position and a cam on said elbowengaging said sleeve and retaining said sleeve in coupled position untilthe ports of said sleeve members have been pivoted completely out ofalignment with the ports in said elbows and a cam on said rst elbowadapted to engage said sleeve after said ports of said sleeve membershave been pivoted completely out of alignment with the ports in saidelbows and move said sleeve to unlatching position.

7. A Abreak-away coupling comprising an elbow having a uid passagetherein Iand a port com'- municating with said iiuid passage; a sleevemeinber pivotally mounted on said elbow and having a port therein; amale coupling member mounted on said sleeve member and having .a fluidpas-l sage aligned with said port in said sleeve member; a second elbow;a iluid passage in said second elbow; a port in said second elbowcommunicating with said fluid passage in said second elbow; a secondsleeve member pivotally mounted on said second elbow; a port in saidsecond sleeve member; a female coupling member mounted upon said secondsleeve member; afluid passage in said female coupling member Valignedwith said port in said second sleeve member, said female coupling memberbeing adapted to receive said male member when the coupling is coupled;an annular groove on said male member; a plurality of holes in the wallsof said female member adapted to receive and retain a plurality ofmetallic balls; la sleeve on said female member; an enlarged portion insaid sleeve adapted to receive a portion of each of said metallic ballson uncoui- -pling of the coupling and a Acam in said sleeve adapted toforce a portion of each of said metallic balls into said groove on saidmale member in coupled position and a cam on said elbow engaging saidsleeve and retaining said sleeve 1in coupled position until the lportsof said sleeve members have been pivoted completely out of -alignmentwith the ports in said elbows; and a cam on said rst elbow adapted toengage said sleeve after said ports of said sleeve members have beenpivoted completely out of alignment with the ports in said elbows andmove said sleeve to unlatching position, the fluid passage in said malecoupling member in fully coupled position fully aligning with said portsin said rst sleeve members and said port in said secon-d elbow toprovide an unrestricted fluid passage.

ROBERT M. POWER.

No references cited.

